Hello fellow Tutu-ettes!
It’s Emma here, your trusty Pink Tutu Time Traveler, reporting live from…well, let's just say somewhere in the year 1773. I'm so thrilled to share another whirlwind adventure with you all! Today we're diving deep into a day in ballet history that's all about… well… quite a lot of nothing! That’s right, my darlings, June 6th 1773 seems to have been a day dedicated to whispers of future greatness rather than the grand spectacle we often see in our travels. But, even with little known historical events to chat about, the day was brimming with the vibrant energy of creativity, a little bit of controversy, and an air of the fantastical that always reminds me just how timeless ballet truly is.
Now, how did I end up here you might ask? It all started, as it often does, with my beloved Magic Meg - the pink sparkling shire with the golden hooves, remember? We galloped off to a charming English countryside inn (picture rustic beams, crackling fireplaces, and overflowing mugs of hot cider) and whilst we were tucking into some scrumptious bread and butter pudding (oh, how I miss a good English pudding!), a travelling showman was regaling the inn’s guests with a story. He was boasting of a play he’d recently witnessed, the first real ‘ballet’ that took place in his local city, London. The dancers were not professionals, you understand, but simple folk. What they lacked in technique, they made up for with heart. And I found myself just captivated by his description - you see, before this era, Ballet, though its roots are planted in France, was a pretty newfangled thing in England!
My imagination soared! Picture this - men and women dressed in silks and satins (well, the ladies anyway) with ribbons and lace trailing behind them, twirling and leaping through candlelight as the audience held their breath in anticipation. Could it be any more captivating? Now, although I was eager to travel to 18th Century London and see the show myself, a peek into the time travel guide (a rather dusty and battered but trusty book bound with twine that is passed down through time traveller generations!) revealed something very exciting - the great ballet teacher and choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre, was busy preparing his own groundbreaking choreography. Can you believe it? Right here, in this quiet country lane where we’re nestled, tucked away with Magic Meg, I feel a thrilling connection to a time in ballet’s history when it truly bloomed, when its stories and potential felt endless!
As for our own ballet outfit of the day? Well, I’ve gotta tell you, I embraced the vintage elegance of the time. Think floral patterns and graceful flowing ribbons - we are, after all, going for a vintage style right?! And let’s not forget my signature pink tutu - I opted for a delightfully airy, layered tulle creation in a pale blush pink, reminiscent of English country roses, paired with a silky waistcoat (very regency!), adorned with a charming little corsage.
Speaking of the 18th century, let me tell you a little more about this era of ballet - it’s a crucial one. Before this period, ballet was pretty much only seen at the French royal court, but by 1773, it was well on its way to captivating the whole of Europe! You can see how excited I am, right? You’ll forgive me for all this ballet chatter, but I can’t get over how thrilling it is to stand on the cusp of a truly dynamic shift in the history of this art form.
To get a better picture of what the dance scene looked like, imagine something a little different from what you see in the ballets of today. No Swan Lakes or Sleeping Beauties yet! It's much more dramatic, much more narrative based, like mini theatrical plays that unfold on stage. No ballerinas balancing on their toes - it’s more about flowing movement, pantomime and storytelling, expressing the emotions of the characters!
And my dear Tutu-ettes, that’s what brings us back to Noverre, who is like the rockstar of this era! He challenged traditional forms and dared to innovate, breathing life into this new ballet world by focusing on expressive movements and passionate storylines. Now, as I stand in 1773, I can already feel the shift from old-fashioned rigid rules to a focus on the expressive freedom of ballet as an artform in itself!
You may be asking what happened in the world of ballet specifically on this date in 1773? Well, I searched high and low for evidence of ballet’s big moments – and while the ballet scene wasn’t bubbling over with performances, it’s easy to imagine how the ground was being laid for big things! We're talking new theatre openings and ambitious dance projects coming to life all over the continent, sparking an intense energy of creativity. Ballet's heart was truly pounding with the rhythm of a future packed full of captivating dances, passionate performances and bold choreography.
As the day winds down and I bid you all farewell, I can't help but feel an intense feeling of joy knowing that ballet, in all its wonderful pink-tutu'd glory, has captured the imagination of people around the world for centuries, and its potential still seems to be boundless.
Until next time, stay twirling and remember, you are all beautiful, strong, and capable, no matter your size or shape - so embrace the magic of ballet, whether you're a professional or simply someone who dreams of dancing!
With Love and Glitter, Emma 💖
(P.S. Do check out the link for www.pink-tutu.com below, so you can catch up on all my adventures! Let me know what you think and let me know where you'd love me to travel to next! 💖)
